Warriors hoping Cousins, Jones return in playoffs

HOUSTON — Warriors head coach Steve Kerr is leaving open the possibility of centers DeMarcus Cousins and Damian Jones returning at some point during the playoffs.

“It’s a possibility he could be back,” Kerr said of Jones. “Same with DeMarcus. He’s coming along pretty well. We’ll just wait and see.”

Jones, who has spent the past five months rehabbing a torn left pectoral muscle, will be cleared for contact work — including full games of 3-on-3 — in coming days. In late March, he began on-court work. After recent shootarounds and practices, Jones was seen participating in shooting drills, strength-building exercises and noncontact 3-on-3 scrimmages.

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Steve Kerr on DeMarcus Cousins, Damian Jones

Video: San Francisco Chronicle

Cousins, who tore his left quadricep muscle in Game 2 of the Warriors’ first-round series against the Clippers, was cleared to return to shooting drills last week. After missing Golden State’s two recent Los Angeles trips, Cousins opted to join his team in Houston for Games 3 and 4 of the Western Conference semifinals.

On Saturday night, he was on the bench offering encouraging words to teammates. Kerr said that Cousins has made “normal progression” in his recovery from the quad injury.

Series schedule

Warriors lead 2-1

Game 1: Warriors 104,

Rockets 100

Game 2: Warriors 115,

Rockets 109

Game 3: Rockets 126,

Warriors 121

Monday: at Houston,

6:30 p.m. TNT

Wednesday: at Oracle Arena,

7 :30 p.m. TNT

Friday: at Houston, TBD* ESPN

Sunday: at Oracle Arena, TBD*

All games on 95.7

* If necessary

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Without Cousins and Jones, the Warriors have started Draymond Green at center against the Rockets, with Kevon Looney serving as the primary backup. Andrew Bogut and Jonas Jerebko have gotten some minutes off the bench at center.

Kerr has yet to put a timetable on when Cousins and Jones could return, but it’s clear neither will play against Houston. The Warriors play Game 4 on Monday and Game 5 on Wednesday, a potential Game 6 on Friday and Game 7 on Sunday.

“Getting either of those guys back, or both, will be good,” Green said. “But right now, we have to focus on what we’ve got. I think we have more than enough to win it all with what we have now. Getting those guys back will be an added bonus if we can.”

Connor Letourneau moved to the Golden State Warriors beat in September 2016 after a year covering Cal. Previously, he spent two years covering the Oregon State Beavers for The Oregonian. Letourneau is a University of Maryland alum who has interned for The Baltimore Sun and blogged for The New York Times. A Portland, Ore., native, he is interested in telling the stories that extend beyond the field or court.